Description

The Department of Computational Media at the University of California, Santa Cruz invites applications for a leadership position at the Teaching Professor level in Games and Playable Media. We seek outstanding applicants who have a demonstrated track record of teaching, professional achievement and activity, and service in scientific, technical, engineering, or design aspects of computer games, considered broadly, including game design and development, game production, business aspects of games, game user research, game artificial intelligence, interactive narrative, novel interface technologies, virtual reality, augmented reality, computer graphics for games, procedural content generation, game software engineering, agent architectures for game characters, game analytics and visualization, game engine architecture, programming languages as applied to games, natural language generation and dialog systems for games, platform studies, software studies, and automated analysis of games.

The successful candidate is expected to develop and teach courses within the graduate and undergraduate curriculum, advise professional MS students on their projects and career aspirations, maintain an active profile of professional activities in the discipline of computer games and/or its pedagogy, perform university, public, and professional service, and be able to work with students, faculty, and staff from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds. The successful candidate is expected to be appointed as the inaugural Vice Chair of Computational Media for the Games and Playable Media MS program, and in that role will direct and lead the program, which has already received campus approval and is currently undergoing UC system-level review. The Vice Chair will teach in the program, work as a bridge between the substantial games research at UC Santa Cruz and this professional program, and serve as the program’s representative and advocate to the Academic Senate and the central administration. We are especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through their teaching, research, and service.

This position is one of a cluster hire of four faculty associated with the Professional MS program in Games and Playable Media and a proposed Professional MS program in Serious Games, both located in the UCSC Silicon Valley Campus in Santa Clara, California. The primary office for this position is located in Santa Clara, due to the expectation of teaching and mentoring students in this location. This position is expected to spend multiple days per week in Santa Clara, and is also expected to spend on average one day per week on the Santa Cruz campus (more during Santa Cruz teaching quarters). The successful candidate will need to provide or arrange for their own transportation between Santa Clara and Santa Cruz, with or without accommodations. Teaching duties will typically involve teaching five graduate classes each year in Santa Clara, and one undergraduate class each year in Santa Cruz.

The Computational Media Department is dedicated to the creation, enhancement, and study of media forms where computational processes enable deeply interactive and generative experiences. As a pioneering department, we are looking for new faculty who are excited to help us define and grow this emerging area. The department emphasizes the construction of technologies that make possible novel media experiences, while simultaneously embracing and engaging in theoretical and practical approaches from the arts, humanities, and social sciences. The department offers a BS in Computer Game Design, a Professional MS in Games and Playable Media, and an MS and PhD in Computational Media. The Computational Media Department is located within the Baskin School of Engineering of the University of California, Santa Cruz, which has a long history of embracing groundbreaking interdisciplinary work.

The UCSC Silicon Valley Campus is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the worldwide epicenter for industry and innovation in games and information technology. The location affords extensive consulting opportunities and avenues for collaborative research with industry. Opened in 2016, the UCSC Silicon Valley Campus features contemporary interior design with multiple classrooms, computer labs, and project rooms, along with an event center, sound studio and television studio.

RANK: Lecturer with Security of Employment

Lecturers with Security of Employment hold full time academic year positions with the rights and responsibilities of membership in the Academic Senate. Teaching, professional achievement and activity, and University and public service constitute the criteria for advancement. Appointees to these titles are expected to demonstrate, or have the potential to demonstrate, intellectual leadership, as documented by materials demonstrating that the candidate has made outstanding and recognized contributions to the development of his or her special field and/or of pedagogy, through publication (either in traditional forms or in electronic format), creative accomplishments, or other professional activity.

SALARY: Commensurate with qualifications and experience; academic year (9-month) basis

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: B.S./B.A./B.F.A., or equivalent foreign degree, and ten years of industry experience relevant to games and playable media; or M.S./M.A./M.F.A., or equivalent foreign degree, and five years of industry experience relevant to games and playable media, or a Ph.D. or equivalent foreign degree in Computer Science, Digital Media, Human Computer Interaction, Computer Games, Computational Media or other relevant field. Demonstrated experience in university teaching at the graduate and undergraduate levels in games and playable media. Demonstrated record of professional achievement or contributions to games and playable media via publication (either in traditional forms or in electronic format), creative accomplishments, or other professional activity. Demonstrated record of University and public service.

POSITION AVAILABLE: July 1, 2018 (with academic year beginning September 2018).

TO APPLY: Applications are accepted via the UCSC Academic Recruit online system, and must include: a detailed letter of application describing how your teaching, training, and administrative experience prepare you for this position, curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching interests and experience, two sample syllabi for games courses you have taught, 2 to 10 sets of instructor teaching evaluations from courses you have taught, a statement addressing contributions to diversity through teaching, professional activity, and/or service; and 3 confidential letters of reference*. Documents/materials must be submitted as PDF files.

*All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For any reference letter provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service, career center), direct the author to UCSC’s confidentiality statement at http://apo.ucsc.edu/confstm.htm

REVISED CLOSING DATE: Review of applications will begin on January 22, 2018. To ensure full consideration, applications must be complete by this date. The position will remain open until filled, but not later than 6/30/2018.

UC Santa Cruz faculty make significant contributions to the body of research that has earned the University of California the ranking as the foremost public higher education institution in the world. In the process, our faculty demonstrate that cutting-edge research, excellent teaching and outstanding service are mutually supportive.
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees. Inquiries regarding the University’s equal employment opportunity policies may be directed to: Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of California, Santa Cruz, CA 95064; (831) 459-2686.
Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UCSC positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check. More information is available here or from the Academic Personnel Office (APO) at (831) 459-4300.
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If you need accommodation due to a disability, please contact the Academic Personnel Office at apo@ucsc.edu (831) 459-4300.